AMERICAN CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1925, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS.

[Australia <fc N.Z. Cable Association.] ■SWEPT BY TIDAL WAVE. SAN FRANCISCO, December 23. A report that Yap, a small island in the Caroline group in the North Pacific was swept by a tidal wave and devastated is published in the “Hochi Sha,” a Japanese language newspaper of Honolulu. No confirmation of the report has been received from any other source. The cable between Guam and Yap has been interrupted since December IG. The “ Hochi Sha ” said that not a single house on the island, which has an area of seventy-nine square miles, and a population of several thousands, is left standing. Fear is expressed that other islands in the group suffered a similar catastrophe. DEFENCE AGAINST ROBBERS. NEAT YORK. December 23. As a precaution against the epidemic of robberies, lax collection officers have boon equipped with devices to discharge tear gas in the event of an attempted hold-up, while if moneybags. are opened by an unautlidTTsef! person they spurt gas in sufficient qnuntity to render the opener unconscious.

AAI ERICA AND LEAGUE. NEW YORK, Dee. 24. The Washington correspondent of the •New York Times” states that the obstacles to the United States’ official participation in the League of Nations’ preliminary disarmament conference have apparently been overcome. It is learned that the Miniser in Switzerland, Air Gibson, will 'represent tlie United States at Geneva in February. A confevecno between President Coolidgc and Senators Borah, Lon root, and Moses cleared the way to the decision. It is learned that the agreement l>ciwoen the President and Senator Borah provides for participation under tnc following conditions:— That the United States does not join any security pacts arranged at the conference. That the decisions reached at the conference be enforced by the League, leaving each Government bound only by agreements made at the conference. That no agreement- provide for a reduction of United States hind armament.

It is also ascertained that the outcome of a preliminary conference, to determine American participation in further armament conferences, to lie arranged, was that them was no agreement.

UNBOUNDED PROSPERITY. NEW YORK, Dec. 23. It is generally conceded that this is inio of the best Christmases in the tils-' tori’ of flic United States, a prosperous year having filled pockets to the extent that apparently there ts mom spending money available than over before. Christmas shopping has liow definitely broken all records, it being the unanimous verdict of the largo stores that buying is unprecedented in volume and quantity, with an unusual demand for high-priced gifts. One store oil Fifth Avenue, where tho highest priced shops are centred; cxP'ossed amazement, declaring thatbuying was most extravagant. Numerous lair'go organisations' throughout the country have followed Wall Street’s example in distributing large bonuses. Railways report that the number of travellers returning homo for (ho holidays is unprecedented. The only section of the country where suffering is prevalent appears to bo in tile coni districts, The Salvation Army relief organisation reports that the number of needy in New York desiring relief is less than half of last year’s. Dll’ FLASK CARRIERS. NEW YORK, Dec. 24. 11 is expected fhal during the holidays there will he more drinking than ->vei‘ since prohibition came into force. Tile new Federal enforcement policy frowns oil the arrest ol petty offenders, believing that- the 1925 Congressional enforcement appropriation of filly thousand dollars would be heller spout in discovering the source of Hie supply of bootleg wares than purchasing evidence against hotel and cabaret patrons who are joyously surprised, since ideal refreshment is thereby left to the State municipal authorities, and New York repealed the State enforcement Act several years ago. The padlocking of numerous cabarets by Federal agents is not effective, as a greater number of new establishments are opening constantly, and the force of enforcement agents is far too small to permit the stationing of one at every night club for the detection of hip flask carriers. Celebrants are the more reckless through knowing that the House of Representatives has approved of the appropriation of 250.000 dollars for the purchase of evidence in 1926, when conviviality will l>e more restrained.